서울대학교 미주동창회 Seoul National University Alumni Association in the USA
My time at Seoul National University’s International Summer Program was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. Coming to Korea, I was excited to interact with a different environment, meet new people, and learn through classes at SNU. Looking back, some of my favorite memories came from the combination of academics, exploring Korea, and the people I met along the way.
The classes that I took in Korea were insightful in many ways. Korean Art and Asian Painting was my favorite class, as it differed from the STEM-focused classes that I was taking at UCSD [1]. It also allowed me to explore the culture of Korea, which can sometimes be difficult to do in America. The other classes were also very enjoyable and beneficial for my specific major, as I was able to become familiar with how to program a humanoid robot and obtain a deeper understanding of Python and coding in general. Beyond just studying the course material, being in an international program allowed me to interact with students from different backgrounds and hear about their journeys. This made the classroom dynamic much more interesting and gave me a better appreciation for learning in an international environment.
Outside of the classroom, I took tours of famous Korean landmarks and visited different places around Seoul to help me better understand the history and culture that I had heard about in class. Experiencing these places in person made the things I was taught feel much more meaningful. It was also interesting to compare what I saw in Korea with my experiences growing up in America, especially because I have always wanted to learn more about Korean culture. These excursions made my stay in Korea feel much more personal and gave me a greater appreciation for the country and its culture.
Another major contributing factor in making this program unforgettable was the people I met. Spending time with them made the summer much more enjoyable, from studying together to playing basketball. One of the most memorable activities was hiking to the peak of Gwanaksan. Although challenging, the view from the top made it all worth it [2]. Being outside, enjoying the scenery, and bonding with other students made it an experience that I will remember forever.
Overall, my time at Seoul National University was more than just taking classes in Korea. It allowed me to learn, explore, and make memories with people I would not have otherwise met. Thank you so much to everyone who has made this possible; I am truly grateful that I was able to be part of the SNU International Summer Program. I’m honored to have been selected for the SNUAA Scholarship program, and I hope to carry the experiences and friendships from this summer with me in the future.
